Sony is sometimes a little slow to release new devices everywhere, but at least its Android update schedule is on par with other OEMs. That is to say, it's annoyingly slow, but not unusually so. The Z5, Z4 Tablet, and Z3+ are all getting Android 6.0 right now, but as usual, it's a staged rollout that will vary by country.

If you've got a Z4 Tablet, check for the update now—it should be available. The single-SIM Z3+ is also updated, but the dual-SIM is still in process. The Z5 will be a bit more troublesome. So far, only the Z5 is getting the update via OTA or the PC companion software. The Z5 Premium and Compact should be added to the rollout soon. Sony did not say which regions would get the update first. Those in Japan on NTT should already have the OTA, though.

Sony's Marshmallow build is 6.0, but it has the February security patches. It includes all the usual Marshmallow features like Doze mode, app permissions, and Google Now on Tap. There's also a new Sony launcher in this update. Sony won't support adoptable storage, just like Samsung and LG. There's also no Stamina mode included right now. It might come back in a later update, but Google doesn't allow OEMs to monkey with how Doze mode works. That's probably why it's missing right now.

A couple of the Z5 Compact models list the 6.0 update on xpericheck.com or within the Xperifirm firmware download application.

Mario E Hdez

Are these all the same? I bought a compact direct from Sony, living in the US.

Jan Husak

no adoptable storage and no stamina? well, thanks a lot sony :(((

ClearlyYoureWrong

Yeah wtf, why no adoptable storage? What a let down.

c0n0r

Is the Z3 not getting any update love?

someone755

1) Z3 and Z2 don't get love? The msm8994 devices have been taking too long, now it's supposed to take longer?
2) Without Stamina, I doubt battery life will be any better than with custom ROMs. I may as well flash MultiROM and use Sony KitKat and Omnirom Marshmallow.

Pretty sure someone755 is a kernel dev for Xperia devices. He posts over at XDA. I'd assume he knows what Doze mode is.

someone755

welp time to delete this disqus account, they've found me

ClearlyYoureWrong

No. No it doesn't. Both improve battery life but that is where the similarities end. Your a idiot, get over it.

Roh_Mish

Stamina mode is a little more extreme

Bill

Doze mode came from Sony AOSP contributions. It's the same

ClearlyYoureWrong

Nope. You can;t manually invoke Doze and it will only doze if left still on a table or similar situation. And even then takes a while to kick in.

W/ stamina mode I can just toggle it and have phone sip battery juice all day then wake screen for a flood of data, then screen off again and it will persist.

Henrik

I disabled Stamina mode. It was just to extreme for the way I use my phone (Z3c). But I still get 18 hours battery life on normal use.
(4 hours when playing Ingress. If you know Ingress. Then you know that it is not bad)

Heart_Rock

Does it have the Android fingerprint reader API so now the fingerprint reader can be used with other apps?

Can confirm that the regular power button on the US version magically turns in to a fingerprint reader after the update. Unicorns zooms out of the button like a flaming phoenix so give the phone some space, it will be hot.

I've read reports in other comment threads that the hardware is the same and flashing international ROMs re-enables it. I haven't reviewed this myself as I don't have a vested interest in it. But, in the off-chance that that's true, my question is perfectly reasonable.

illstplaya .

Not sure why you would buy the US version though? The international version is cheaper.. I'm in the US and I'm going to buy the z5 international once the x series is released

Warranty. Plus Amazon quickly discounted it, canceling out most of the price difference.

ClearlyYoureWrong

Anybody tried this with Lastpass yet?

Dominic81

Installed this morning, and so far, less battery drain than ib Lollipop in stand-by it seems. I guess Doze is doing its job.

Also, the phone feels a lot snappier and faster, and the infamous UI "lag" is finally a thing from the past!

ClearlyYoureWrong

While it may be true that battery life has been improved via software optimizations it might not be b/c of Doze. If you've been carrying your phone around in your pocket then Doze won't kick in at all. Doze only kicks in when the phone has been sitting without movement for something like 15 min, like on your nightstand overnight while you sleep.

Dominic81

Yup I was at work so it was sitting on my desk.

someone755

>Doze only kicks in when the phone has been sitting without movement for something like 15 min

Phone in pocket 12 hours per day... Well there goes my battery life lol.

I want to root that device badly, but I can't offer to lose my DRM keys. Once they're lost, good luck to snap decent pictures, or simply sell your phone in the future

MrTheenD

You can root without unlocking your bootloader.

Dominic81

Theorically you can, but I'm pretty sure it's impossible at the moment on the Z5.

Many users on XDA have been asking for months for a "clean" solution to root the Z5 without touching the bootloader, without results. If you know how to do it, some users are even willing to pay money on XDA to get a Z5 clean root :P

someone755

The Z3 series bounty was pretty successful. The dude who implemented the solution into an easy-to-use script managed to get most of that series' devices unlocked without root (albeit with having to downgrade the firmware).

Fatal1ty_93_RUS

Hopefully Z3 and Z2 families will follow shortly

Cakefish

UK hasn't even got the update yet :(

flipside010

I already have mm on the z3c via the concept ROM (and it's great we have adoptable storage and everything :) ) but I'm disappointed the z2 tablet has dropped off the radar